Job Description
The Dispatcher – Government Operations oversees and coordinates all air mission activities involving government partners, Public Aircraft Operations (PAO), and state-declared aircraft. This role ensures safe, compliant, and efficient dispatching procedures while maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, and agency-specific regulations. The Lead Dispatcher provides operational leadership, real-time decision support, and acts as the primary communication link between flight crews, government agencies, and internal operational units.
Key Responsibilities
Government & PAO Operations Coordination
- Serve as dispatch authority for Public Aircraft Operations and state-declared missions.
- Coordinate directly with government agencies, emergency services, law enforcement, and state aviation offices to validate mission requirements and ensure operational compliance.
- Verify PAO status and documentation for aircraft, crew, cargo, and mission profiles.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of FAA regulations, state aviation requirements, operational waivers, and legal distinctions between public and civil aircraft operations.
Mission Planning & Execution
- Conduct comprehensive flight planning including routing, weather analysis, aircraft performance, NOTAM review, TFR monitoring, and risk assessment.
- Approve releases and flight authorizations for government and PAO missions.
- Prioritize mission requests based on urgency, resource availability, safety considerations, and operational directives.
- Provide continuous operational control and flight following in accordance with agency standards.
Communication & Leadership
- Manage escalations and coordinate with senior leadership during high-impact and time-critical missions.
- Facilitate regular briefings with flight crews, maintenance, and operations leadership.
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure accurate, compliant tracking and documentation for all PAO and government operations.
- Maintain strict adherence to mission-specific reporting requirements, data retention rules, and audit standards.
- Assist in developing and enforcing dispatch policies and procedures for special-category aircraft operations.
- Oversee post-mission reporting, incident documentation, and regulatory compliance records.
Operational Safety & Risk Management
- Conduct pre-flight and in-flight risk assessments for all state-declared and PAO missions.
- Support Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives, hazard reporting, and trend monitoring.
- Ensure operations align with federal and state aviation safety directives, including NIMS/ICS guidelines during emergency deployments.
- Act as a resource for government mission risk mitigation and operational control decisions.
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in flight dispatch, mission coordination, or aviation operations (government or PAO experience preferred).
- Strong knowledge of:
- FAA regulations (including Part 91, PAO distinctions under 49 U.S.C. 40102 & 40125)
- Government/agency mission frameworks
- Emergency operations and state aviation protocols
- Proven experience in high-tempo or mission-critical operational environments.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across multiple agencies.
- Proficient in dispatch/operations software, mission-tracking systems, and aviation communication tools.
- Must possess an active Secret (or TS/SCI) security clearance or be eligible to obtain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate or equivalent operational control experience.
- Experience working with law enforcement, emergency management, wildfire aviation, DHS, or state aviation offices.
- ICS/NIMS certifications (ICS-100/200/700; ICS-300/400 a plus).
- Background in special-mission aviation (SAR, HAA, airlift, medevac, law enforcement, etc.).
- This position does not offer relocation assistance; local candidates are preferred.
Core Competencies
- Strong situational awareness and risk-based decision making.
- Ability to lead and mentor a team in a dynamic operational environment.
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
- High level of discretion, professionalism, and compliance discipline.
- Rapid problem-solving in high-pressure, multi-agency operations.